YBE 026: High-Level Throwing with Austin Wasserman

Austin Wasserman of AB Athletics and WassermanStrength.com describes high-level throwing and how to teach it to your youth baseball players. Most errors in youth baseball are throwing-related. Is it possible what we currently know about how to teach it is wrong? Plus, Justin Stone of elitebaseball.tv answers the Question Of The Week about how batters can make their first at-bats as good as their last at-bats in a game. Have your own question? Ask Justin and get an answer!

In this 59-minute episode, you'll learn:

• what high-level throwing is
• why you can trust Austin regarding throwing properly
• the water bottle drill
• whether to teach the water bottle drill to kids who already throw hard and/or accurately
• what's wrong with the 'L' drill
• if there is an age minimum for the water bottle drill
• whether the naked eye is able to accurately perceive the throwing motion
• how to modify the drill for infielders who need a quick release
• whether wrist flick drills are helpful
• whether it's important to teach wrist snap at ball release
• what pronation is
• whether throwing sidearm is wrong
• whether the throwing-side elbow needs to be above/below/same as shoulder at ball release
• where the hand should be at ball release, and how to check
• what players should do with their glove-side arm
• where the landing foot should go
• what a four-seam grip is
• the practicality of getting a four-seam grip as a fielder
• suggested footwork on a throw

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Water Bottle Drill
• More on the Water Bottle Drill
• Wrist flick "Set Up" Throw to replace that old "Wrist Flick Drill"
• Scapular Upward Rotation Can Fix Your Throwing Pattern
• Rebounder drill from Driveline Baseball
• Pivot pickoff throw drill from Driveline Baseball
• Double shuffle drill, Part 1 and Part 2

 

Austin is also giving away a free copy of his $50 high-level softball throwing ebook. To enter the drawing for this giveaway, all you have to do is sign up for the free YBE email newsletter and email me to let me know what email address you signed up with. If you're already signed up, you're eligible too—just email me and let me know what email address you signed up with. An email address will be randomly drawn on May 23, 2016 to determine the winner. Winner already drawn!

 

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